Lawyer: Arroyo couple to go to Singapore, then Spain

(Updated 4:56 p.m.) With the watch list order against them indefinitely suspended by the Supreme Court, former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel “Mike" Arroyo are now poised to fly to Singapore "as soon as possible." Mr. Arroyo's lawyer Ferdinand Topacio on Tuesday said the Philippines' neighboring country was the first on the couple's agenda to seek medical treatment for Mrs. Arroyo's bone disorder. Topacio said Mrs. Arroyo will depart for Singapore at 5 p.m. From Singapore, the couple might fly to Spain next, he said. "Kung sa Singapore pa lang ay ayos na ang findings, baka hindi na sila tumuloy sa Spain," Topacio said. Asked when the couple plan to be leave, Topacio said: "ASAP [as soon as possible]." The Supreme Court earlier issued a temporary restraining order against the watch list orders on the Arroyo couple. The court said the couple should have the constitutional right to be presumed innocent at this point since no formal charges have been filed against them. While suspending the watch list order, the court, just the same, gave three conditions to the Arroyo couple before they could leave the country. The couple are required to pay a cash bond of P2 million, to delegate a representative who will accommodate all legal documents coming from the court, and to inform — either by phone or in person — the government of their arrival in a specific country through that country's Philippine consulate. Shortly after the high court announced its decision on Tuesday afternoon, messenger sent by the Arroyo camp arrived at the Supreme Court with cash — presumably the P2 million bond — inside a black bag. He even opened the bag in front of reporters to prove that there is money in it. He told reporters that the money was withdrawn about 3 p.m. and was handed over to him to be delivered to the SC. Singapore and Spain were among the countries listed as destinations by Mrs. Arroyo when she sought — but failed— to secure an allow departure order from the Department of Justice (DOJ). The other countries were the US, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria. "For those [critics] too concerned with extradition treaties, I would like to emphasize to them that the Philippines has an extradition treaty with Spain," Topacio said. Electoral sabotage complaints have been filed against the couple in connection with the alleged cheating in the 2007 elections. - Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMA News